His daughter, Aracely Duarte Perez, shared the news this week in a heartfelt Instagram post featuring video of her father proudly walking through the front door of his new business, Cahuamanta y Mariscos Auténticos Estilo Sonorense, located at C. Carrillo Puerto (Calle 3ra) 1243 in Zona Centro, Tijuana, approximately 25 minutes from downtown San Diego.
"You are invited to visit my parent/sriscos restaurant!!!" Aracely wrote. "You are the reason any of this is happening. Thank you for continuously taking care of my parents. We are looking forward to seeing you! God bless you all."
The restaurant, which opened about a month ago, specializes in Sonoran-style seafood, including traditional cahuamanta (Mexican seafood stew), seafood cocktails and one of Duarte's signature dishes, the "Don Francisco Tower" (see below).
Although Duarte no longer pushes his ice cream cart through San Diego neighborhoods, reminders of that chapter remain throughout the restaurant. A framed photograph of him standing beside his longtime paleta cart sits near the counter, and one of the freezers he once used to store popsicles in San Diego now holds seafood in Tijuana.
When Francisco Duarte cut the ribbon on his new seafood restaurant in downtown Tijuana, he looked toward the sky and made the sign of the cross. After everything he and his family had endured over the previous eight years, the moment represented far more than the opening of a restaurant - it marked the beginning of a new chapter.
In the video, Duarte addresses the community that stood behind him during his lengthy immigration battle.
"Good afternoon to everyone," he says. "To my community in Mexico and the United States who supported me when I self-deported, thank you all so much. I truly appreciate it."
Standing inside the bright blue dining room of his new restaurant, Duarte says the move to Mexico has brought him unexpected peace.
"This is my little restaurant here in Tijuana, where I was practically born again," he says. "My ailments have gone away. Everything has gone away - the bad energy that I had from the United States."
While grateful for the customers who have already visited, Duarte hopes more people from both sides of the border will stop in.
"I've had customers, thank God, who have supported me," he says. "But I need more people to come taste the delicious Sonoran cahuamanta, the seafood, the Don Francisco Tower. I would be very grateful. I would love to see this place full... full, full, full."
The opening represents the fulfillment of a goal Duarte first shared shortly after his deportation.
Last October, after nearly 30 years living in San Diego, Duarte and his wife, Rosenda Pérez, left the United States following the conclusion of an eight-year immigration case. The couple had spent three decades building a life in South San Diego, where they raised four children - all U.S. citizens - including two who went on to attend Stanford University. Their removal followed years of legal proceedings stemming from their 2017 detention by federal immigration authorities. Federal officials based the removal proceedings on a prior illegal entry conviction.
Known throughout South San Diego and National City simply as "the paletero," Duarte spent decades pushing his ice cream cart through neighborhoods, becoming as much a fixture of the community as the treats he sold. Many customers knew him by name. Children grew up hearing the familiar bell from his cart, while parents often stopped to chat long after purchasing paletas.
Rather than sell his remaining inventory before leaving the country, Duarte spent his final weekend in San Diego giving away ice pops to neighborhood children as a gesture of gratitude.
His farewell resonated far beyond San Diego. After Aracely shared a video of her father's emotional goodbye on TikTok, millions watched the story unfold. Support poured in from around the world through messages, comments and a GoFundMe campaign created to help Duarte and Pérez establish a new life in Mexico. Although the fundraiser originally sought $17,500, it ultimately raised more than $64,000 through nearly 1,800 donations, providing the family with a financial foundation as they rebuilt their lives in Tijuana.
At the time, Aracely wrote that while her parents had lost the legal battle to remain in the United States, the generosity shown by strangers gave them hope for what came next. That next chapter now has an address.
Open daily from 10am to 7pm, Duarte's restaurant sits just minutes from the San Ysidro Port of Entry, making it an easy day trip for many San Diegans who followed his story over the past year.
When Francisco Duarte cut the ribbon on his new seafood restaurant in downtown Tijuana, he looked toward the sky and made the sign of the cross. After everything he and his family had endured over the previous eight years, the moment represented far more than the opening of a restaurant - it marked the beginning of a new chapter.
In the video, Duarte addresses the community that stood behind him during his lengthy immigration battle.
"Good afternoon to everyone," he says. "To my community in Mexico and the United States who supported me when I self-deported, thank you all so much. I truly appreciate it."
Standing inside the bright blue dining room of his new restaurant, Duarte says the move to Mexico has brought him unexpected peace.
"This is my little restaurant here in Tijuana, where I was practically born again," he says. "My ailments have gone away. Everything has gone away - the bad energy that I had from the United States."
While grateful for the customers who have already visited, Duarte hopes more people from both sides of the border will stop in.
"I've had customers, thank God, who have supported me," he says. "But I need more people to come taste the delicious Sonoran cahuamanta, the seafood, the Don Francisco Tower. I would be very grateful. I would love to see this place full... full, full, full."
The opening represents the fulfillment of a goal Duarte first shared shortly after his deportation.
Last October, after nearly 30 years living in San Diego, Duarte and his wife, Rosenda Pérez, left the United States following the conclusion of an eight-year immigration case. The couple had spent three decades building a life in South San Diego, where they raised four children - all U.S. citizens - including two who went on to attend Stanford University. Their removal followed years of legal proceedings stemming from their 2017 detention by federal immigration authorities. Federal officials based the removal proceedings on a prior illegal entry conviction.
Known throughout South San Diego and National City simply as "the paletero," Duarte spent decades pushing his ice cream cart through neighborhoods, becoming as much a fixture of the community as the treats he sold. Many customers knew him by name. Children grew up hearing the familiar bell from his cart, while parents often stopped to chat long after purchasing paletas.
Rather than sell his remaining inventory before leaving the country, Duarte spent his final weekend in San Diego giving away ice pops to neighborhood children as a gesture of gratitude.
His farewell resonated far beyond San Diego. After Aracely shared a video of her father's emotional goodbye on TikTok, millions watched the story unfold. Support poured in from around the world through messages, comments and a GoFundMe campaign created to help Duarte and Pérez establish a new life in Mexico. Although the fundraiser originally sought $17,500, it ultimately raised more than $64,000 through nearly 1,800 donations, providing the family with a financial foundation as they rebuilt their lives in Tijuana.
At the time, Aracely wrote that while her parents had lost the legal battle to remain in the United States, the generosity shown by strangers gave them hope for what came next. That next chapter now has an address.
Open daily from 10am to 7pm, Duarte's restaurant sits just minutes from the San Ysidro Port of Entry, making it an easy day trip for many San Diegans who followed his story over the past year.
The restaurant's name, Mariscos 4 Hermanos, is a tribute to Francisco and Rosenda's four children, all U.S. citizens, whom they left behind in San Diego when they were deported.
"When I walk into my restaurant, I want to see the name and feel the connection I share with them," Duarte said.
For those who knew Francisco Duarte as the smiling man pushing an ice cream cart through neighborhood streets, his invitation carries the same warmth that made him a local favorite for decades. The cart may be gone, but the hospitality remains.
"Thank you for all the support you have given me," Duarte says in the video. "From the bottom of our hearts, we hope to see you."
For those who knew Francisco Duarte as the smiling man pushing an ice cream cart through neighborhood streets, his invitation carries the same warmth that made him a local favorite for decades. The cart may be gone, but the hospitality remains.
"Thank you for all the support you have given me," Duarte says in the video. "From the bottom of our hearts, we hope to see you."
Rosenda said she never imagined the family would one day own their own restaurant. "We've worked very hard. It's a great accomplishment."
For more information about Cahuamanta Sonorense y Mariscos 4 Hermanos, follow @mariscos4hermanosrestaurante on Instagram.
Originally published on June 30, 2026.
For more information about Cahuamanta Sonorense y Mariscos 4 Hermanos, follow @mariscos4hermanosrestaurante on Instagram.
Originally published on June 30, 2026.
